Obstetrics & Gynecology

If you think you’re interested in a specific area of OBGYN (family planning, maternal-fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, reproductive genetics, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, or minimally invasive gynecologic surgery), let Jamillah Collins know and we can arrange a targeted shadowing experience for you.

In terms of maximizing your chances of getting the residency of your choice, become familiar with the Careers in Medicine OB-GYN profile. It is not necessary to conduct research, but it does help bolster an application with less-than-ideal grades/Step scores. If you’d like to participate in a research project within our department, please contact Dr. Melissa Simon or reach out to the residency research advisors, Dr. Michelle Kominiarek or Dr. Christina Boots to be partnered with a resident research project. Participation in OBGYN-focused activities is not a pre-requisite at this early stage, but it does strengthen an application and reflects your interest in and commitment to our field.

Lastly, any student at any time can meet with Dr. Armstrong or Dr. Brown to discuss whether OBGYN might be a good career option and to request an OBGYN advisor. We are happy to begin the process of guiding you through the career selection process whether you apply in our specialty or not.

As above, in terms of maximizing your chances of matching, in is not necessary to conduct research but it does help bolster an application, especially for top-tier programs. The NRMP data shows matched and unmatched students had similar numbers of research experiences, but matched students did have a very slightly higher mean number of abstracts presentations compared to unmatched students. If you’d like to participate in a research project within our department, please contact Dr. Melissa Simon or our residency research advisors, Dr. Michelle Kominiarek or Dr. Christina Boots to be partnered with a resident research project.

A single M4 experience in OBGYN is sufficient preparation, but additional electives will help provide additional letters of recommendation. We prefer that you prepare yourself for residency by having broad exposure to fields of medicine that will round out your education. Infectious disease, cardiology, dermatology, rheumatology, anesthesiology and radiology are all good choices.

Typically, no. Away rotations can be helpful to increase your chances of obtaining an interview at a desired program. Making a great impression and working hard may be able to tip the scales in your favor. However, make certain you check with your advisor and discuss whether a particular program is within your reach.

While away rotations can provide an up-close view of a program in which you may be interested, they also represent a double-edged sword. Sometimes, when rotating quickly through various divisions and departments, you may not hit it off with everyone or make a good first impression. Proceed cautiously. If you want to see what a particular program is really like from an internal perspective, consider doing an elective in obstetrics anesthesia or neonatology at the institution at which you are interested. This allows you some up-close observation of them without their scrutiny of you.

See above. Most students will not do away rotations.

See above. While most students will not do an away rotation, if you choose to, it should be completed by no later than October for a change to be offered an interview.

Some programs interview in mid-to-late October, but most interview dates are in November and December. Some programs will still have interview dates in January (typically the first half).

Most letters should come from OBGYN faculty members (1 from the Department Chair, 1 from fourth year OBGYN rotation faculty, 1 from an additional OBGYN faculty member like an AOSC advisor or someone you’ve done additional volunteer work or research with). Some programs will ask for a letter from an outside department, so consider ones from your research mentor or someone who knows you particularly well clinically.

Any faculty member who knows you well is a great source for a letter. If a surgery faculty member can attest to your surgical ability/dexterity, that may be helpful but is not necessary. Ideally someone who writes a lot of letters of recommendation is best.

The fact of the matter is that senior people often write better letters and have a broader range/duration of exposure to students. So, when a senior person writes, “this is the best student I have seen in five years,” it is usually from a denominator of hundreds of students. When a junior person writes the same sentence, it may not carry the same weight. However, a person who knows you well and can speak to your specific, personal attributes may be more important than an impersonal form letter from a departmental “heavyweight.”

Be strategic early on. Get to know faculty members and try to have some consistent exposure to them. At the start of your fourth year rotation, discuss your stated goals for learning and explain to the course director/faculty preceptor that you would love to be able to receive a letter of recommendation at the end of the rotation. When asking for a letter of recommendation, look them in the eye and ask, “Do you think you could write me a strong letter of recommendation?” If they hesitate, move on to the next person on your list. No matter from whom you obtain a letter, try to get to know them and summarize your accomplishments for them. Most letter writers will request a copy of your CV and personal statement.

Yes, you will meet with the Department Chair and departmental career advising team in August or September to secure a personalized letter of recommendation.

During the winter of M3 year, students should attend specialty sessions sponsored by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology to learn more about the specialty and meet attendings and residents in the field. Meet with Dr. Goldsmith to discuss your Phase 3 schedule planning. OBGYN advisors are assigned in April near the end of your M3 year. There are multiple group and individual advising sessions for the application process from June through February.

Read the OBGYN Residency Application Handbook